ObjectivesThe role of Product Designer is being increasingly recognised as a vital factor in the successful development of all manufactured products. This course provides a grounding in marketing in addition to the underpinning product design modules for science and engineering graduates. The main aim of the course is to provide you with the academic, professional and marketing skills and the knowledge required for a successful career in polymer and allied industries. You should come away from the course having acquired the disciplines and technical knowhow necessary to successfully design and market a product.
Entry requirementsAn Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant science or engineering subject. Applicants who do not have an Honours degree, but who have significant relevant experience to compensate, will also be considered on an individual basis. Successful applicants normally have some prior study and/or experience in marketing.
Academic titleMSc Plastics Product Design with Marketing
Course descriptionCourse structure
The Polymer Centre has well equipped polymer laboratories and workshops, and the course contains many opportunities for practical work and pilot-scale production on advanced equipment for polymer processing and testing.
Products are designed to be sold and therefore need to meet the needs and trends of consumers. This course covers the principles of marketing and is applicable to those who need to be aware of marketing strategies.
The course consists of five core modules, one optional module and a project.
Core modules:
-Design for Manufacture
-Product Design
-New Product Development
-Marketing Strategy
-Research Methods: Theory and Practice
Optional module from:
-Material Selection and Design
-Polymer Materials Development and Design
-Mould and Die Design
-Process Design and Simulation
-Statistical Aspects of Product Design
-Industrial Practices
-Marketing Research
-Marketing Communication
A project can be on any topic within the range of the course, subject to approval. The Research Methods module will prepare you for the project.
Assessment
Assessment is on a continuous basis for most elements of the course but a variety of techniques are employed, for example, assignments, written reports, group and individual projects, case studies, computational analysis, seminars and examination. The project is assessed by a dissertation.
Career opportunities
Course members will find employment in industries dealing in the design, development and manufacture of plastic products. The service industries are now a major factor in the world economy and there are many career opportunities for those with technical knowledge and marketing skills.
Attendance & duration
-Full-time: one year (maximum duration six years)
-Part-time: (one day a week), two to three years